de Fiddes nominated for National Retirement Living Awards
The National Retirement Living Awards celebrate high achievement across all parts of the retirement living sector. Containing eight categories, the awards recognise the work of people and companies to ensure senior Australians have an enjoyable retirement. There are eight national awards categories and the RAAFA Meadow Springs Estate project is one of four finalists for the Keeley Green Interior Design Award for Best Refurbishment.
With two rounds of judging (one round in person with a WA judge and the second round via video link with two east coast judges), the project team had to demonstrate and explain several criteria to reach the final round. We managed to contain our nerves and let the work speak for itself! Below is a synopsis of the project plus some feedback from the residents.
“Being given the opportunity to have our say on the style and design means we will get what we want not what someone else thinks we need”
RAAFA Meadow Springs Estate is a Western Australian retirement village that 336 residents proudly call home. Whilst the project to refurbish the estate’s hall and restaurant may be considered to be a small project compared to full facility works; the resident engagement, community collaboration and environmental outcomes belies its huge heart. RAAFA’s core mission is ‘Above and Beyond’ and this commitment to excellence was evident in every stage of the project. de Fiddes were engaged to complete the project due to their extensive design and fitout expertise in aged and retirement sectors. Uniquely, the project manager is also an Occupational Therapist and she facilitated resident participation throughout the project. The clinical skill set enabled effective analysis of resident issues and the appropriate remediation to ensure project outcomes will meet their needs now and in the years to come. Effectively involving large numbers of residents who take ownership of their surroundings is a large undertaking and this was completed successfully throughout the project.
The residents were also represented by a key stakeholder group at every phase and provided with weekly communications and visual displays of project updates. Disruptions to the hall and restaurant activities were kept to a minimum with just a one week cessation over the course of the project. All project deliverables were achieved on time and budget with no incidents to workers, staff or residents.
A key project initiative ‘giveaways, recyclables and convertibles’ was an unprecedented demonstration of social, economic and environmental outcomes eagerly embraced by the residents. In particular, witnessing the circle of life with those in their later years supporting children with disabilities through this project resonated with all involved. The resultant beautifully refurbished hall and restaurant in the resident selected theme of ‘Honours’ is a nod to RAAFA’s proud past and bright future.
Additional Resident feedback included:
“It’s so important that we get asked for our opinion – we are the ones using the chairs. We must have arms so I’m so pleased our feedback was passed along. What are you going to do about the height adjustable chairs? They are ugly but we need them too”
“I can get in and out of these chairs so easily and the tables are the right height!”
“The fabric and frame you chose means my height adjustable chair fits right in”
“This has been a special project but do you know what the most important part is to me? The fact that we supported Wheelchair for Kids. What they do is just amazing. Did you know I was a volunteer there for many years?” (resident went on to reminisce about his time at WfK)
“It looks so different! It has such a nice feeling and such a good atmosphere”